Newcomers to Dahn Yoga classes may be taken aback by a unique aspect of the practice: tapping. Each session starts out with this warm-up exercise – in which you'll generally tap the lower abdomen to rid the body of tension and prepare yourself for the main movements and postures of the class. Depending on your instructor's directions, you might also find yourself tapping other parts of the body or doing variations of the technique, such as hip or knee bouncing to loosen up the joints and hand or feet clapping to boost circulation in the extremities.

While tapping may seem like a quirky and unusual technique to Westerners, it has long been used in the Eastern world as a holistic healing method. Along with freeing the body of tension, tapping involved in Dahn Yoga benefits health in a wide variety of ways. For instance, it has been shown to ease pain and increase the flow of blood throughout the body, which can help you feel more vibrant and vitalized. Tapping also enhances energy by stimulating the chakras. In fact, when you tap all your chakras in the correct sequence, you can guide the flow of ki through your meridian channels.

Tapping can also help you better control your feelings by allowing you to release negative feelings like frustration, anger and sadness that you've been bottling up over time. The Huffington Post touches on the successful story of finding emotional freedom from trauma through the use of tapping. By combining the technique with steady breathing exercises, self-acceptance and mindfulness, you can shed the damaging layers of stress and emotion that have been building up and weighing you down.

One such tapping exercise focuses on the Dahnjoong – the meridian point found in the middle of the slight indentation in the center of the chest. This point is close to the middle Dahn-jon – the chakra located behind the heart. It's highly sensitive to everyday anxiety and is, for that reason, effective at relieving stress and promoting emotional stability. By tapping the Dahnjoong at least 100 times and controlling your breath, you may experience tingling sensations in your chest and fingertips that are signs that negative or stagnant energy are leaving your body.

With tapping and other Dahn Yoga exercises, you can reach a deeper connection with yourself as well as the world around you. However, as with any exercise, too much can be a bad thing. If you feel excessive pain beyond the normal signs of stiffness and energy blockage in the body, try lighter tapping or focusing on different parts of the body. People who suffer from medical conditions are advised to see a physician before starting any exercise routine.

While you may have heard of yoga, or even tried some yoga stretching poses, you likely still know only a little about this physical and spiritual exercise. The history of yoga meditation is rich and long, and it’s something that you may want to research before you go to your next class. For example, the American Yoga Association states that while no one knows exactly when yoga began, it is believed to predate written history.

The AYA explains that there have been stone carvings in archeological sites in the Indus Valley that date back 5,000 years or even more. RandomHistory.com explains that yoga was likely born in India, and then was adopted by Hinduism as well as Buddhism and Jainism. While there are many different branches of yoga, there is usually a common theme – which is to focus on your consciousness.

One thing is certain – yoga has been widely embraced by Westerners, and it is now quite common to find people practicing yoga not only studios, but in parks and other public outdoor spaces. Now that you know a little more about this practice, you should consider trying it out yourself if you haven’t already.

If you're about to take a yoga meditation for beginners class, you may be wondering what sort of things you should bring, and what types of clothes you should wear. Deciding on yoga mediation supplies doesn't have to be difficult, you don't need a lot of accessories to have a good time at yoga.

For example, Recreational Equipment Incorporated states that the only essential thing that you need for yoga is a mat. There are many different types of yoga mats out there, and they are sold in many places – you may even be able to purchase one at your yoga studio. As for what to wear to a class, most comfortable clothes are fine. However, you should avoid loose-legged shorts, since they may expose a little more than you'd like when you go to bend over.

Yahoo! recommends brining a towel to yoga with you, since chances are you're going to be sweating a lot, and you don't want to be dripping all over the place. Also, you should be sure to bring a water bottle, as you would during any work out.

Some people may think that yoga stretching poses are for people who don't participate in vigorous exercise, and they would be wrong. If you enjoy participating in contact sports or are training for a marathon, you should consider looking into yoga stretching for runners. Practicing yoga can help you excel at other sports, which is why, no matter what forms of exercise you usually do, you should give yoga a try.

CNN published an article explaining that runners often end up with injuries, especially as they get older. The news source suggested that one way that people may be able to combat injuries to their hamstrings or other parts of their body is to learn to stretch better, and yoga is the perfect avenue to do that.

Furthermore, Runner's World magazine recommends that people who enjoy running practice yoga regularly to increase their flexibility, which may help them have a better range of motion in their joints that will help keep them from getting injured.

For all of these reasons, if you love running, it may be time to sign up for a yoga class.

If you're feeling stressed out, you should consider practicing yoga stretching poses that have been shown to help relieve anxiety. Yoga combines exercise and meditation techniques to help relax both your body and mind, which is why you should consider looking into yoga stretching if you're overwhelmed. Recently, The Huffington Post explained a little more about which yoga stretching poses are best if you're feeling anxious.

"Yoga helps us slow down for a moment and tune into the breath. Simply the focus on one thing – which is the very definition of meditation – allows us to decompress," Terri Kennedy, Ph.D., registered yoga teacher, told The Huffington Post. "The actual asanas [poses] release tension in different ways, and help certain parts of the body."

Kennedy recommended trying the calming child's pose, which involves kneeling and stretching the body as though you're bowing. This position can quiet the mind and ease stress.

Yahoo! states that if you're really a beginner, you may want to start with the corpse pose, which involves simply being spread out on the ground. According to the news source, this pose relaxes the entire body.

Have you been thinking about taking a yoga meditation class for beginners? While you may have done yoga in the past, you might not know how to properly meditate – but you should. Not only can meditation help you keep your mind clear and live in the moment, it may also make you more compassionate. Researchers from Northeastern University have found that after regular meditation classes, people seemed to have more empathy than non-meditators.

The scientists discovered that after eight weeks of meditation classes people were more likely to offer their seat to a person on crutches than those who did not meditate. According to researcher David DeSteno, meditation helped make people act virtuously, even though that is not always the norm in this day and age.

Psychology Today states that meditation has also been shown to help people feel calmer and happier than they did before they practiced it. So the next time you're thinking of looking into yoga meditation practices, consider all of the potential benefits of enrolling in a class that can help you learn how to properly meditate.

Fitness buffs who often travel for personal or professional reasons may have a difficult time keeping up with their health and wellness goals on the road. Not only are they away from their usual gym or health club, but lengthy travel can eat away at time for physical activity. Here are three reasons yoga stretching is the perfect mobile workout.

Minimal workout gear
People who like to lift weights or cycle usually can't bring their workout gear with them. However, practicing yoga meditation and stretching exercises requires minimal equipment. Simply throw a yoga mat in your suitcase, and you're good to go!

Versatile workout routine
Another great part about yoga is that you can exercise just about anywhere. Whether you decide to head to a local park in your vacation destination or practice in your hotel room, all you need is a flat patch of ground to get started.

Yoga in stages
If you want to get a quick exercise in before you head out for dinner reservations or sightseeing, yoga is the workout for you. In fact, yoga can even be done in stages. Consider practicing a few poses in the morning, meditating in the afternoon and finishing up the evening with another quick yoga stretch.

If you've been struggling with aches, pains or other general health issues lately, incorporating regular physical activity into your life can make a big difference. Yoga meditation and yoga stretching exercises are great ways to improve your overall wellness while also combating a number of common health problems. Here are three examples of how yoga can benefit your lifestyle.

Trouble falling asleep
When you've got a full day of work, classes or family obligations ahead of you, the last thing you want to deal with is a poor night of sleep. If you've been finding it difficult to catch some shuteye, yoga exercises and meditation techniques are great ways to lower stress levels and promote relaxation, making it easier for you to go to bed at night.

Joint and muscle pain
There are numerous reasons why you may be experiencing joint and muscle pain on a regular basis, whether its due to a sudden weight gain, manual labor or recent stress. However, there are a variety of yoga stretches that can specifically relieve pain in your back, legs, shoulders, neck and feet.

Headaches
Stress, lack of sleep and poor diet can all contribute to frequent headaches. If you're looking for a way to deal with the pain, consider practicing yoga meditation and deep breathing exercises that can promote relaxation and improve blood circulation.

After months of fighting cold temperatures, icy roads and mountains of snow, spring is finally beginning to shine through. This offers yoga practitioners all skill levels the perfect opportunity to incorporate the great outdoors into their exercise and meditation routines. Here are three reasons why you should consider heading outside to practice meditation techniques.

Natural stress relief
A major part of any yoga routine is uniting the body, spirit and mind to feel more relaxed, confident and at peace with the world. In order to do this effectively, there's no better place to enjoy the benefits of relaxation than among the green grass, tall trees and beautiful flowers in your community.

Peace and quiet
Sometimes you may not want to head into a yoga studio to work out or meditate, but you still need to find a quiet place to focus. If your home is full of distractions that will hinder your yoga stretches and meditation, going into the backyard or a nearby park can be a pleasant alternative.

Fresh air
One of the keys to successful meditation is being able to practice deep, controlled breathing techniques. Doing this outdoors gives you the added benefit of being in the fresh air and sunshine to help clear your lungs.

Getting started on a new diet for weight loss can be easier said than done, which is why developing a plan for healthy eating is vital to your success. In combination with regular physical activity, here are three weight loss tips that can leave you feeling fit and healthy by summer.

Replace temptation
There’s nothing worse than knowing there’s a delicious bag of chocolates or chips in your kitchen when you’re trying to lose weight, so begin by getting rid of any snacks in your home. Once they’re gone, restock your kitchen with healthy fruits, veggies, whole grains and nuts for diet-friendly snacking when you get the urge.

Count your calories
Keeping track of the various foods you eat can be difficult, so consider using a calorie counting program to help you keep track of what you’re consuming and burning off in a given day. There are apps for your smartphone or computer that allow you to input information about your favorite foods and drinks so you know how to plan your meals throughout the day.

Diet with a friend
If you need a little extra motivation to eat well, consider convincing a friend to join your diet plan. Together, you can encourage each other to make smarter choices about meals and find delicious new recipes that will help you lose weight with style.

In the early 1980s, a Korean man named Ilchi Lee combined the most effective and enlightening principles of yoga, tai chi, meditation and martial arts to create Dahn Yoga. “Dahn” means primal energy and Dahn Yoga is helps practitioners develop awareness and understanding of universal energy known as “Ki.”

This blog is a Dahn Yoga community site, where practitioners contribute their observations of and experiences with Dahn Yoga.